Gripping the creases of her taintless sweater as shining droplets crept from her face down her soft cheeks, Yronica stumbled back. She struggled to find solid ground, and her breathing was uneven, irregular and unnatural. It was the sort of reaction Eman was seeking. Shakily, Yronica tried letting out a response, choking on her saliva. 

Finally collecting herself, Yronica cleared her throat and began to speak as composed as she could. 

"Y-You... H-How did you get that? No one was there! H-How did you get that!"

"I don't have to tell you anything. Besides, I wouldn't want to do anything that would get in your way," Eman replied, eyeing Yronica's reddened face and flushed cheeks. She had practically adopted an entirely different personality, unlike Yronica's usual self-absorbed character.

"Anyways, Yronica. Here's what I want you to-" was all Eman managed to get out before immediately being cut off by Yronica tackling slender frame. Feeling Yronica's hands grip her forearms, Eman felt her wrists up to her fingers suffocating. 

"I'm not fucking around, Eman! You don't get to tell me what to do! Delete that video right now!" Yronica demanded, her crimson face better reflecting her anger. "Delete it, Eman! Delete it!"

"F-Fuck! Get off me, you bitch! I couldn't get rid of this video even if I wanted to!" Eman answered, desperately trying to wrestle against Yronica as they both persisted in keeping hold of the phone.

"Shut up! Shut your mouth! I don't want to hear it! Just delete the video, Eman!" Yronica, essentially shouting in Eman's face, held herself close to Eman on the ground as she reached for Eman's phone in her outstretched hand. "Give it to me now!"

Eman, somehow pushing Yronica off herself, stumbled back to her feet. Tears pooled around her eyes, and she opened her quivering mouth to speak, "Are you serious, Yronica?! What is wrong with you! You won't even hear me out! You are always like this!" At that moment, Eman wanted to do nothing more than scream at Yronica. She was genuinely hurt, and Yronica was too blind to see that. Eman, at that moment, wanted Yronica to feel how she'd felt.

But that wasn't what she came to talk to Yronica about.

Taking a deep breath, Eman sighed, "Listen, Yronica. If you want me to delete this video, do something for me. You'll do whatever I want you to, and then I'll decide when I get rid of the video." Eman forced the device into her pockets and continued, "I can send this video to everyone you know, Yronica. It isn't that hard."

Yronica sat in front of Eman, staring her down with a scarlet gaze, face still red from her fit of rage. A lingering stillness separated the two in the hallway for the longest time. Breaking the hush quietness between them, Yronica gave her reply, 

"Fine."

✰

Amidst the squawking of his peers in the cafeteria, it was all but muted to Aaaqil. While he tried to take in the undesirable racket, he was torn between Taylor's ongoing ramblings and thoughts of his small yet snug friend group. As he continued to give his attempt to focus on Taylor's likely rehearsed lecture on which Chaoxing Lai album was the best of the 80s. 

All he got out of the bombardment of words was that Chaoxing's album, "Ladykisser" , possessed the most distinguished musical arrangements produced singlehandedly by a woman, much to his dissatisfaction. He felt lonely. Aaaqil couldn't find much comfort in Callum's built frame and huggable self, enjoying his short break far from the nerd.

"H-Hey, Aaaqil... are you alright? I never said your musical tastes were bad! If it makes you feel better, I thought Subway Brooklyn ft. Nami Deng was still a pretty good album," grinned Taylor, sincerely giving the small boy a warm smile.

Aaaqil sniffled as he wondered what opted that moment of politeness from Taylor until he felt streaks of teardrops brush down his soft cheeks. "O-Oh, s-sorry! I-It's not about the album, I... I-I, umm... I-It's just something else on my mind. P-Please continue," Aaaqil reassured his still-smiling friend.

"It's Yronica and Eman, isn't it."

"W-What! H-How did you know!"

Taylor giggled, prompting the boy's face to redden, Chaoxing's upbeat music still heard behind Taylor's worn headphones.

"If it makes you feel any better, you aren't a bad friend, Aaaqil. I think you're great. Besides, I told you to record that video after all."

Rubbing his palms against the top of his legs, Aaaqil vaguely recollected the event both Taylor and Aaaqil had been misfortunate enough to encounter. He could still remember Yronica's face, a side of her the nerd had never seen.

He was frightened and still is.

Exhaling a deep breath, he motivated himself and forgot that traumatic experience. Uplifted, Aaaqil had always found himself unshakable around Taylor, his closest friend. "Thanks, Taylor! I'm really, really glad you decided to sit with me today! You usually sit with Yara, so I'm happy," Aaaqil beamed.

"It was the least I could do. Besides, Yara doesn't really listen to Chaoxing."

As they continued to ramble about Chaoxing Lai's latest single, Shoplifter, a faint voice echoed in Aaaqil's ear through the noise of the crowd that occupied the cafeteria hall.

"Aaaqil!"

The sound was one Aaaqil recognised, being accustomed to the voice for the longest time at Lakeview High, seeming to be the only person to ever take notice of the wallflower other than Yronica. Taylor acknowledged the approaching pair not a moment after.

Taylor smirked before obnoxiously shouting at the two, "Hey! Eman! Yronica! Aaaqil saved you a seat! You should totally sit next to us!"